When it comes to the changes in wording for pregnancy and breastfeeding I really would like to know how many people who don't identify as women or mothers actually go through those experiences!?!? Because it has to be completely minimal surely because if you have problems with identifying as a woman surely by the time you have gone through everything you do to get to the point of giving birth you must have to embrace being a woman because otherwise you've (IMO) missed the point entirely!?!
The numbers are tiny even when we include non binary people. Changing language in this way for such small numbers seems inexplicable. I can only think it comes down to the explanation I gave on GB news. Did you see that clip? x
Found it, I 100% agree. More of the patriarchy bulls*** which just helps erase and belittle women. I'm so grateful to you for continuing to point it out and raise awareness. X
Oct 13, 2023·edited Oct 13, 2023Liked by Milli Hill
I was a LLLGB leader for many years - 1990s - I'm horrified by their recent activities - but... to be fair, the Anglicised version of 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding', was simply named 'The Art of Breastfeeding' - but in those days, there was no confusion. So - have they re-written the entire book and excluded the word woman? Surely not?
I'm sure the authors were tasked with using "a variety of terms" for mothers, because that's what current Leaders are instructed to do. Want to be told off and put in the Naughty Corner? It's easy, just be a Leader who uses mothers and women and breastfeeding exclusively. Someone from the upper echelons will track you down and not so gently remind you that LLL helps "everyone" to breastfeed, including male bodied persons and breastless women. Here is one former Leader's resignation letter: https://lucyleader.substack.com/p/goodbye-la-leche-league-i-prefer
Heartbreaking - i Mirror her experience - my babies were born in 83, 87 and 89 - and I became a leader between the second and third. I went on to become a midwife. My youngest even promoted breastfeeding as a young sporting celebrity… ha! But sad sad sad - LLL was so important in my life… thank you for sharing.
When it comes to the changes in wording for pregnancy and breastfeeding I really would like to know how many people who don't identify as women or mothers actually go through those experiences!?!? Because it has to be completely minimal surely because if you have problems with identifying as a woman surely by the time you have gone through everything you do to get to the point of giving birth you must have to embrace being a woman because otherwise you've (IMO) missed the point entirely!?!
The numbers are tiny even when we include non binary people. Changing language in this way for such small numbers seems inexplicable. I can only think it comes down to the explanation I gave on GB news. Did you see that clip? x
Found it, I 100% agree. More of the patriarchy bulls*** which just helps erase and belittle women. I'm so grateful to you for continuing to point it out and raise awareness. X
I haven't, I'll search for the link if you shared it? X
Ah was just popping back to share it! https://millihill.substack.com/p/changing-womens-words-to-suit-mens
xxx
Ah, Milli, you have written about everyone's favorite "girl", Dylan Mulvaney! More about Dylan and his friends who pretend to be women here: https://lucyleader.substack.com/p/private-spaces
I was a LLLGB leader for many years - 1990s - I'm horrified by their recent activities - but... to be fair, the Anglicised version of 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding', was simply named 'The Art of Breastfeeding' - but in those days, there was no confusion. So - have they re-written the entire book and excluded the word woman? Surely not?
I'm sure the authors were tasked with using "a variety of terms" for mothers, because that's what current Leaders are instructed to do. Want to be told off and put in the Naughty Corner? It's easy, just be a Leader who uses mothers and women and breastfeeding exclusively. Someone from the upper echelons will track you down and not so gently remind you that LLL helps "everyone" to breastfeed, including male bodied persons and breastless women. Here is one former Leader's resignation letter: https://lucyleader.substack.com/p/goodbye-la-leche-league-i-prefer
Heartbreaking - i Mirror her experience - my babies were born in 83, 87 and 89 - and I became a leader between the second and third. I went on to become a midwife. My youngest even promoted breastfeeding as a young sporting celebrity… ha! But sad sad sad - LLL was so important in my life… thank you for sharing.